Welcome from State
Director Robert M. Maccarone

Welcome to the New York State Office of Probation and Correctional Alternatives'
(OPCA) website. Thank you for your interest in New York's probation and
alternative programs that enhance public safety. In October 2005, New York State released FBI crime statistics that show New York State has
risen from the seventh to sixth safest state in the United States -- and
has once again outpaced the national average in reducing crime. New York
is currently the safest of the large states. Throughout this website you
will learn of OPCA's leadership and support to the continuum of probation
and community corrections programs that operate in counties throughout

As the state agency responsible for the oversight of the operation of
county probation agencies and correctional alternatives programs, OPCA
is committed to improving practices that promote public safety, ensure
offender accountability, provide restitution to victims and reduce recidivism.
OPCA provides the tools necessary to enable local jurisdictions to make
the best use of their staff and programs in providing family and criminal
courts with a wide range of both statutory and discretionary services,
and to assist in the development of expertise of providers through funding,
regulation and training.

The programs funded through OPCA enhance New York's criminal justice
policies and offer specialized services that are supported by research
and statistics including supervision, employment, training, and treatment
-- all which substantially contribute to successful and longstanding positive
outcomes that enable offenders to lead law abiding lives.

OPCA strives to fund programs that improve professional practice, are
strength-based and produce the greatest positive change in offender behavior.
Thank you for visiting the OPCA website.